Post-Elena ‘Vampire Diaries’ Teased at Comic-Con

Comic-Con is the perfect place to be teased about what is coming up next for fan favorite shows and a post-Elena Vampire Diaries is no exception. The supernatural drama actually marked some very impressive milestones at the 2015 convention, along with offering teasers for Season 7. They not only did their very first panel since the exit of star Nina Dobrev (Elena Gilbert), but they even did their very first panel in Hall H, which is the largest of the convention rooms.

Julie Plec, who is one of the co-creators of The Vampire Diaries, spoke about how it was bittersweet to be at the convention without Dobrev. As she said not only do they miss her, but they also miss Kevin Williamson, who was also a co-creator for the show.

Stars of the show also weighed in on the post-Elena Vampire Diaries during the panel at Comic-Con, which also teased at what to expect in the next season. Ian Somerhalder, who plays Damon Salvatore, indicated this was actually an evolution of the overall story. “Stories come, stories go — this is Mystic Falls without Elena Gilbert.”

Paul Wesley, who portrays Stefan Salvatore, said he believed this was a chance to change up the dynamic of the show. In fact, he said that he feels this actually creates an entirely new world for these characters.

Beyond the fact that there is no more Elena on camera, this is a chance for the characters to live life without her being in the picture. The question is, what does this mean for each of these individuals. As Plec points out, “the challenge for Damon is Elena said to him to please live your life and be who you are,” which may in turn be a difficult task after the last few years of having this person by one’s side and becoming a better person because of this.

Somerhalder told audiences that he planned to bring back the old Damon. The one the fans originally fell in love with. Damon in Season 7 will once more be the naughty, sexy, volatile and often scary individual he was when the series began. Not only will the old personality be resurfacing, but his relationship with Bonnie (Kat Graham) will also be explored. The two have had a love/hate relationship throughout much of the series and the bond that developed at the beginning of Season 6 of The Vampire Diaries will apparently be further explored in the new season as well.

Damon is not the only person experiencing changes in Season 7. The new season intends to show the journey between Stefan and Caroline (Candice Accola) as the two begin to explore a relationship together. Plec even mentioned the couple will have a lot of twists and turns sent their way, so it will be interesting to see where things go with the two.

Michael Malarkey who plays Enzo is also back in action for Season 7 of the Vampire Diaries. According to the actor, the season premiere will see him choosing a side and determining who his allegiance lies with. Will Enzo side with Damon, the man he considered to be almost a brother, or does he choose Lily (his sire and the Salvatore brothers’ mother) and the heretics?

The teasers for the new season of The Vampire Diaries would not be complete without talking about the newest “big bad” on the block. While Kai as the Season 6 villain was given props by the producer, Caroline Dries, the challenge becomes topping that evil. With the heretics it is entirely possible, as these are vampires who can also do magic. Basically Dries believes that in the new season, “it’s going to be exciting and gruesome and violent.”

Although a post-Elena Vampire Diaries was teased at Comic-Con on July 12, fans of the hit CW show can tune in for Season 7 when it returns to air on October 8, 2015. The program will be joined on Thursday nights by its spin-off series, The Originals.

By Kimberley Spinney

Sources:

TV Fanatic – The Vampire Diaries at Comic-Con: Old Damon, New Villains and More
The Hollywood Reporter – Comic-Con: ‘The Vampire Diaries’ Panelists Preview Life Post-Elena
Facebook Posts from The Vampire Diaries

Featured Photo Courtesy of Wilford Harewood and The CW Network
Second Photo Courtesy of Bob Mahoney and The CW Network